In an effort to keep as many members and colleagues informed about the changing State of Alaska Laws, please see the following information:

Effective July 1 2015, licensure is required for all practitioners of massage therapy in the State of Alaska.

A transitional ("grandfather") period which waives exam and education requirements for currently practicing massage therapists is available from July 1 2015 to July 2017.

Effective July 1 2017, all practitioners must meet exam and education requirements.

Please understand that your AK AMTA Board of Directors is not the same entity or connected to the State of Alaska Board of Massage Therapy. As the AMTA local leadership we often receive information at the same time everyone else does- usually when the state updates their website or sends out a mass email.

We remain committed to answering questions to the best of our ability but the best and most appropriate place to get answer is from the State of Alaska:

Please Contact

Thank you all for your commitment and patience,

Your Alaska AMTA Board of Directors

Below you will find the most recent update sent to AMTA from the State of Alaska Board or Massage Therapists:

STATE UPDATE

Description: The Board consists of five members who are appointed by the Governor: four licensed massage therapists who have been engaged in the practice of massage therapy in the state for the three years immediately preceding appointment and who shall remain actively engaged in the practice of massage therapy while serving on the board; and one public member; who is not a licensed health care provider, an employee of the State, or a current or former member of another occupational licensing board established under AS 08. No more than one member may have an ownership or partnership interest in a massage school.

Members:

Amanda L. Unser (Anchorage)

Date Appointed 11/25/2014

Reappointed 1/19/2015

Term Expires 3/1/2018

Chair, Licensed Massage Therapist

David Edwards-Smith (Soldotna)

Date Appointed 11/25/2014

Reappointed 1/19/2015

Term Expires 3/1/2018

Licensed Massage Therapist

Ron Gibbs (Kodiak)

Date Appointed 11/25/2014

Reappointed 1/19/2015

Term Expires 3/1/2016

Licensed Massage Therapist

Traci K. Gilmour (Juneau)

Date Appointed 11/25/2014

Reappointed 1/19/2015

Term Expires 3/1/2017

Licensed Massage Therapist

Shirley M Nelson (Anchorage)

Date Appointed 11/25/2014

Reappointed 1/19/2015

Term Expires 3/1/2017

Public

Function: The board regulates and controls applications, licenses, and permits of the massage therapists.

Compensation: Standard Travel and Per Diem

Meetings:

February 5-6, 2015 - Juneau

March 26-27, 2015 - Anchorage

June 15, 2015

July 22-23, 2015

September 11, 2015

November 5-6, 2015

Meeting minutes and future meeting agendas can be found on the State of Alaska Board of Massage Therapists website:

The board encourages your input and always allows time for public comment during meetings which may be accessed telephonically. For specific questions about licensing it’s best to contact:

MUNICIPAL UPDATE

In late February/early March a letter was sent from the State to each of the Municipalities listed below letting them know that according to HB328 An Act Establishing a Board of Massage Therapists they may no longer regulate Massage Therapists effective July 1, 2015. DDA has been tracking the repeal process for AK-AMTA and to date is as follows:

Anchorage: Will be repealing their ordinance and requests have been sent to their legal department to overlook language before it is heard by the Assembly. Hearing dates are to be announced.

Fairbanks: Will be repealing their ordinance. Hearings are set for March 23, 2015 and April 6, 2015 with the repeals effective date of June 30, 2015.

Palmer: Will be repealing their ordinance for the licensing of Massage Therapists but keeping their city business license for Massage Therapy Establishments. Hearing dates are to be announced after the council discusses the repeal.

Valdez: The City of Valdez regulates Massage Establishments, not individual Therapists and will be keeping their City License which is $50 every two years.